1
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively
a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality
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2
as in rhetoric
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
Darrow, in spite of his powerful oratory, and in spite of outmaneuvering Bryan during their exchange, was up against the fact that Scopes had admitted to teaching evolution, in violation of the Butler Act.
—
Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
On Friday, as the Rams prepared for the second night of the draft, McVay used his oratory skills before another assemblage of pros.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
On Friday, as the Rams prepared for the second night of the draft, McVay used his oratory skills before another assemblage of pros.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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After making a positive impact on Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in her season 2 debut, Chef Terry returned in the season 3 finale to deliver a moving speech about the importance of a restaurant being service to the customer — not the food itself.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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After the speeches on the Capitol steps, the crowd marched to 8th Street and then back toward the Capitol.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Between February and May, when Dudek’s tenure ended, his erratic rhetoric and decisions routinely made front-page news.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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By moving from rhetoric to large-scale military action, Maduro is signaling that Venezuela will fight drug trafficking on its own terms while resisting Washington's narrative of Caracas as a narco-state.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Players understanding the play calls filtered through his thick Southern elocution.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
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The delightful elocution of their dry-as-martini witticisms (dialect coach Nancy Carlin) adds to the joys of this period piece.—
Karen D'Souza,
The Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Many communities also host teen entrepreneur pitch competitions that combine public speaking with business skills.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The Leo full moon on the 12th encourages you to use your voice more boldly, whether that’s through writing, teaching, public speaking, or social media.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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